The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-08
BEN ReGAN'S APPEAL TO SINNERS.
lie Complains that Church People Do Not Do
Their Duty as Christians.

1t was not q large audience that greeted Ben
Hogan, the revivalst, at the Y III. G. A. Hall
last night, but in character it was the kind he
has been asking for. In the main, it WAS COM
posed of young men from the street, whom Mr..
Hogan and his associate. Thomas Lavery, had
picked up on the corners and in the saloons dur
ing the afternoon and evening. Among those
who occupied the back seats there were not few
whose faces were familiar to the reporters.
whose business takes them around the police
station and the Mayors court. Many Of them
slipped out during the progress Of the meeting.
but more remained, and listened atrentively. to
the close of their arraignment Church-going
people were not conspicuous in the audience
and Mr.. Hogan. during the course of his re-
marks, painfully alluded to the lukewarmness
of protesting Christians, and referred to the
failure of the Christian people 70 even furnish
him music.
Lieutenant Thomas Lavery. of Chicago, who is
assisting Mr. Hogan in his work, spoke first
He began by relating bit of his personal his
tory. and told how, until seven years ago, he
was associated with the worst element in Chi
For years he kept q saloon there and at
the time OF his conversion he was a confirmed
drunkard. He said he was one of a widows ten
children, and being poor. he was early cast out
into the street to for himself. Failing in
with evil associates, he grew up in vice, and
when he reached manhood found himself
bound by it that he could not free himself. He
cult it was for a to reform who had once
become q slave to drink Sinners, he said,
looked upon religion as something different from
what it is. 1t was on account of its simplicity
that people stumbled over it.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Lavery's talk man in
the rear OF the room arose and said that he at
one time was a Christian, but was now a sinner,
and separated from his family. He had acct
dentally come 10 the meeting the first night.
and there WAS something That drew bin back
again.
Marching on to Zion" was sung by the audi
ence, and then Mr.. Hogan spoke. He said:
Some people have asked me why would not
hold my meetings in a church. The reason is
because the people would then say the meeting
was sectarian. am working for humanity and
for NO sect 1 go out into the street. and into
the hiding places of the sinful and distribute
my cards, inviting the people to come and hear
me. Because of this people say l am
low-grade worker. That is what want to be-
hold revival at 5000 per night the people would
flock to hear me- The trouble with the people
is they blinded by the devil. could go
home and live like king, instead of running
from rum-h hole to rum hole. and bringing in the
people. There are too many lukewarE church
members who are afraid to speak to the sinners
on the street. The churches are full of people
who do not to say word to soul thirstine for
salvation. They are willing enough. but they
ssn been trained on1 Of on ss s1a
in hunting up the sinner and taking him by the
hand. That is my gospel I believe can con-
vince the young men from the street who come
idle time here in the Y. NJ G. A. building than
in whisky shop pool-room, or on the street
listening to foul remarks 1 spent the greater
portion of my life in the gambling -house. and
know never learned single good thing. In
the last Zine years. since left my old com
paniops. my brain. heart and soul have been
built up Many a time have been walking ths
streets of New York, when suddenly wonls
have premonition that there was fly cop on
the next square, and 1 would change my
course. Why did do shat7 It was my con-
science. knew was outlaw and hid
ing from the sight of honest people. II you
will stop and reason you will know whether you
are a sinner not The trouble is cannot
get men to stop and reason. They say to NOR
row 1 will They are building up q kingdom on
earth when they should be building one in
heaven. The Bible says look after the king
dom of heaven first, all things else shall be
added" At the close of his talk Mr.. Hogan
passed through the audience and shook hands
with all present Quite number asked the
prayers of Christian people. aud promised to do
better The meetings will be continued indef-
nitely. Tomorrow night there will be concert
in the hall, and short service by Mr.. Hogan at
irs close